It’s always exciting to go to New York: so much to see, so much to do, to eat and to sketch. And so many old friends to see. But it all begins with a long flight ( or if you have cheap tickets, a couple of flights with a long layover between them). Hari and the kids sleep. I sketch.
Since we’re traveling with a 4 and a 6 year old, the first museum we hit is the Natural History Museum. The kids are suitably impressed with the dinosaurs.
My favorite rooms are the ones with the dioramas. The African animals room has a huge sculpture of a herd of elephants. It’s really impressive and dramatic, but the weary museum-goers that sit on the ring of benches around it don’t even seem to notice it.
I loved the McQueen show at the Met. Incredible stuff. But there was just no way I could sketch in there. It was more crowded than a street in India. So I sketched where my kids hung out: the Egyptian section, Arms and Armors…
I love the view from the rooftop. The shapes of the trees below and the clouds above echo each other, and a string of skyscrapers is sandwiched between them.
Outside, a musician plays while we decompressed on the steps.
I tried capturing the big blank spaces that is the architecture of the MOMA. The huge walls and narrow, tall windows make the people seem like little colorful bugs scurrying around.
And here is the famous Jackson Pollock canvas.
So many buildings to draw: the Chrysler Building, the Empire State, the Flatiron, Brooklyn Bridge…
When the kids were museumed out, we hit the parks. Madison Park had Jaume Plensa’s Giant Sculptural Head.
And Sheep Meadow in Central Park is always fun.
Breakfast at Pick-A-Bagel, with it’s giant bagels and bialys. I sketched there two mornings.
The fruit-seller by the subway station.
And a couple of subway sketches:
You can see more sketches from my trip here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sketchaway/sets/72157627175686656/with/5928666545/
suhita, these sketches are so lovley especially since i just had a taste of new york! these images are embedded in a very special place in my heart!
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Amazing!!!!!! beautiful sketches and stories.
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I am also love the McQueen exhibition. so inspire. i got goose pump and feel a little bit depressed with the exhibition.
REALLY love your sketch. it reminds me of my photo i tool for those place but this is real cool.
Thanks for the good work.
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Impressed with all your sketches – great work! Thanks.
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Oh I love your sketches! I may go back and add color to my Chicago sketches. Of course Chicago can never measure up to New York City. What a wonderful taste of life in the Big Apple you have shared with your sketches! Thank you for sharing!
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Such lovely sketches….
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These are amazing! Love the colors and the lines =)
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Brilliant! So fast and loose – they convey so much action and atmosphere.
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What an amazing series! Your sketches are fantastic, it feels like we’re following you all over New York, admiring and marvelling! I’m thoroughly impressed, awesome work : ) !
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fantastic!!!
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You did all this with a 4 and a 6 year old! Fantastic! I really like your transparent work as in the Jack Pollack. Your people are great and you did a fabulous job on capturing the space at MOMA.
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I’m really amazed that you can accomplished so much with young kids. Quite impressive. So how long does it take you to do a sketch? I echoed th Te other comments that I feel I’m given a tour of your trip. Your sketches are free flowing and expressive. Thanks for sharing!
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Nice work Suhita. I really liked the lines.
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Suhita, Nice nice nice nice ice nice nice nice and nice But the best is the Jackson Pollock one!!!!!!!!!!
maac
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🙂 thank you. my favorite too. i got thrown out of the room for doing that one because i was sitting on the floor splashing away at my sketchbook. NOT allowed at the museum they told me:)
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Absolutely amazing. I’m jealous of your sketches and the fact that you got to go to New York! 😉
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Wonderful sketches! And I’m so impressed by you ability to produce so many sketches during a short trip – with kids!
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I envy the looseness of your style and how you layer the watercolor over the sketch. So beautiful and spontaneous feeling. It’s great how you got so many great location sketches. My family is not so patient when we are on vacation. Thanks for sharing and inspiring us with your work.
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Fabulous whirlwind trip round the Big Apple for me – what a treat! Thank you.
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Terrific collection of sketches. I agree with Sasa-you did so many while keeping an eye on the kids. Your family must really know that you NEED to sketch!
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What an amazing collection of sketches, a real inspiration!
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Just saw a link on craftgawker and wanted to say that your sketches are truly beautiful. I’m from Wisconsin and I’ve never been to NYC, not even close, so thanks for providing a glimpse of life there! Keep sketching… forever and ever…
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Suhita,
I feel as if you entered my life for a week – and I only wish that I had your talent for loosely capturing all of my favorite places. I’m so sorry that we couldn’t meet at the Met – it is just several blocks away from my apt. and your sketch in the armor room is my favorite! If you’ve seen my blog, you can understand that my week changed dramatically when my grandson broke his arm and was rushed back to the city for an operation. We came home briefly to see him, but then went back out to the beach to get our car which we had to leave behind. Next time you plan a visit, please get in touch with me! I want to sketch next to you to watch your technique!!
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I am blown away by your amazing sketches! Love the NYC scenes…
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This is so amazing! I´m in love with your sketches!! Nice job.
Have an amazing day.
Kiss,
Kath
http://www.enjoyourselfwithstyle.wordpress.com
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Wow! NYC is one of my very favorite places to visit (and home of my little grand-girlie!) so this was so refreshing for me to see here in Utah! I really enjoy your work and am glad Craftgawker highlighted you and I found you 🙂
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omg your painting style is so amazing!!
Do you carry around watercolors with you?? Or how does this work.. do u just sketch it first and then you paint it later?
wow I love your work!!!
– doris
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Thanks doris. I do it all onsite, I think it helps capture the moment better that way. I carry a really small artist watercolor set from windsor and newton- and a couple of sketchbooks and brushes ALL the time
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I alsolutely love your style! It’s simply amazing!
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I don’t know if you know that, but you are a genius. I absolutely love your style, dynamic and so alive.
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New York in watercolour, I love it! I miss the city so much and this made me feel as if I was lounging in the park!
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These are all just spectacular! I’d also love to sit next to you and learn from you! nancy
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I am beyond blown away by your sketches… makes me want to start drawing again! Really, really well done and impressive… thank you for sharing!!!
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Go for it! I got back to sketching about 2 years ago after years of not drawing. And I can’t stop! Would totally love to hear from you if you get back to it!
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Suhita,
Do you have a post where you discuss your technique and your favorite tools? I’m just fascinated by your drawings and the way you wash the color in! Like someone else said, I want to come sit next to you while you draw and learn from you… do you teach workshops? I don’t give compliments lightly, and I must say your sketches are absolutely terrific!!!
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Kathy, My current tools are here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sketchaway/6473408307/in/photostream
Technique is a little harder to discuss, because I don’t think about it, I just draw and color in one mad, quick session. Some of it works, some doesn’t… but since I just can’t explain it in words, maybe I will try and shoot a video of a quick sketch.
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